Vol. 509 No. 5
109 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the plans, if any, he has to introduce legislation governing circuses, zoos, safari parks, aquariums, travelling menageries, exotic animals used in publicity work and personally owned exotic animals and birds; if a working group has been set up to examine these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20911/99]
110 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the plans, if any, he has to review the Protection of Animals Acts, 1911 and 1965; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20912/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 110 together.
As indicated in reply to Question No. 301 on 29 September 1999, issues relating to the keeping of exotic or dangerous animals are currently being examined by an interdepartmental group, which includes my Department. The work of this group is at a very early stage. I should mention that Council Directive 1999/22/EC relating to the keeping of wild animals in zoos was adopted last March and falls within the remit of the Department of the Environment and Local Government.
My Department took the opportunity in the context of the Control of Horses Act, 1996, to effect a major recasting of the penalties for cruelty to animals under the Protection of Animals Act, 1911. As a result of this amendment involving the introduction of conviction on indictment for the first time under this legislation, the penalties now are as follows: a fine of up to £1,500 and/or six months imprisonment on summary conviction; and a fine of up to £10,000 and/or two years imprisonment on conviction on indictment.
These amendments to the 1911 Act allow the courts to impose more severe penalties than hitherto in cases of proven cruelty.
